AbFab trio plan new show

Bottoms up: The BBC hopes viewers will toast Mirrorball

The trio behind sitcom success Absolutely Fabulous are planning their return in a new series sending up the theatrical world.

Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawahla are all lined up to appear in the comedy, entitled Mirrorball.

The BBC has already filmed a pilot edition of the programme, written by Saunders, who plays a former dancer struggling to return to stardom.

Bad hair day: Joanna Lumley in AbFab

"We have not confirmed the date the pilot episode will be broadcast. Whether we commission a series or not depends on the reception to that," a spokeswoman said.

Saunders - whose character is called Viv - was inspired to write about the subject after spending time filming with a dance troupe for a BBC documentary shown last year.

Sawahla will play Viv's sister Freda, while Lumley will take the part of Jackie, a failed entertainer and singer.

Absolutely Fabulous, which sent up the worlds of fashion and public relations, was first screened in 1992 and ran for 18 episodes over four years.

The outrageous and debauched antics of Edina Monsoon and her best friend Patsy Stone (played by Saunders and Lumley) made "sweetie darling" a national catchphrase, while the show was also a hit in the US and other countries.